Barbara Linek has a long history of working with culturally rich communities. Born in Springfield, Illinois, she began studying French at the age of nine with a teacher from the south of France. This early positive experience sparked her interest in other cultures. She taught French and English as a Second Language before entering the nonprofit world, where her mission has been strengthening family relationships. She has coordinated a bilingual family literacy program for migrant farm workers and helped grow Family Bridges, which provides relationship education, into a global nonprofit.

She earned a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University in 2005. In 2015, she was selected to be a fellow in the Practitioners Leadership Institute, a national leadership program of The Center for Urban Families in Baltimore. In 2021, she graduated from Catholic Theological Union with a Masters in Intercultural Studies and Ministry.

Barbara has experience in Hispanic ministry and ecumenical and interfaith settings. She is active in ministry in her church and in the English and Spanish Cursillo Movements. She served as chair of the Parish Pastoral Council for six years and as a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council for eight years.